Malaria is associated with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) seroconversion in a cohort of western Kenyan children
Abstract Background We aimed to determine whether Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infection affects age of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) seroconversion in Kenyan children. Methods Kenyan children (n=144) enrolled at age one month, from two sites with different levels of malaria transmission (stable/high malaria vs. unstable/low malaria transmission) were followed through 24 months. Plasma was tested for KSHV antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (K8.1 and LANA) and a multiplex bead-based assay (K8.1, K10.5, ORF38, ORF50, and LANA) and whole blood tested for Pf DNA using quantitative-PCR. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess associations between Pf DNA detection, malaria annualized rate (Pf detections/person-years), and enrollment site (malaria-high vs malaria-low) with time to KSHV seroconversion. Results KSHV seroprevalence was 63% by 2 years of age when assessed by multiplex assay. Children with Pf were at increased hazards of earlier KSHV seroconversion and among children with malaria, the hazard of becoming KSHV seropositive increased significantly with increasing malaria annualized rate. Children from the malaria-high transmission region had no significant difference in hazards of KSHV seroconversion at 12 months but were more likely to become KSHV seropositive by 24 months of age. Discussion Malaria exposure increases the risk for KSHV seroconversion early in life.